The NFU have been found out

?

Callistemon

^If this poster was in the USA why would they be promoting a petition calling for an inquiry into grooming gangs?^

I cant see any reference to that on this thread and have never seen any other posts by this poster.

Try this, Callistomen

www.gransnet.com/forums/news_and_politics/1283247-Petition-asking-for-Public-Inquiry-into-Grooming-Gangs

If this poster was in the USA why would they be promoting a petition calling for an inquiry into grooming gangs?

I cant see any reference to that on this thread and have never seen any other posts by this poster.

No need to be sneery though with your of course everyone realises that!! - because actually they don't.
I'm not being sneery at all.

I just don't believe people do not understand what seed means

Are you in the USA George444?

If this poster was in the USA why would they be promoting a petition calling for an inquiry into grooming gangs?

I think they're trying to pre-empt a post Brexit lifting of the EU ban. But I'm curious as to whether the post was a personal one or a cut and paste job.

Are you in the USA George444?

In the main, this is banned here in the UK. In exceptional circumstances it can be allowed, as in the case of oilseed rape, otherwise there would be no crop.

It is not in general use in the UK because of the EU ban.
We in the UK will have to remain vigilant that the ban is continued.

There is no definitive conclusion but Neonicotinoids affect ALL insects and their use is highly suspect. If they are used it should be on a very restricted basis only.

As a bee keeper and farmer its important to keep Neonicotinoids out of the environment and the food chain,

Is this you speaking personally, George4444?

If not, could you cite your source please?

Seed is coated in Neonicotinoids. When the seedling grows the chemical is transferred into the plant. A creature eating the seedling is poisoned by the chemical. Unfortunately the chemical also ends up in the pollen of the plant. So impacting bees. The more the persistent Neonicotinoid chemical accumulates the worst for the bees. As a bee keeper and farmer its important to keep Neonicotinoids out of the environment and the food chain, Even if that crop is grown for animal fodder (which is the back door for use of such chemicals).

The agreement was not just for food, it included seeds, nursery stock and other plant material that have to meet EU standards.
Seed potatoes are different, import from outside the EU is prohibited, as the UK is leaving, agreement has not been reached yet. As we are now negotiating sensibly as long as seed potato producers agree to follow EU regulations they will be allowed, otherwise they will be prohibited.

Did you read the whole thread Callistemon ?
Please don't ridicule those trying to add info to growstuff's post for those who didn't realise why seed potatoes were excluded from the food deal.
It is obvious when you know... but as I said above, someone on the radio the other day didn't understand the difference.

I rather stupidly thought I was clarifying. Obviously I wasn't. Fair enough.

No need to be sneery though with your of course everyone realises that!! - because actually they don't.

NotSpaghetti

Seed potatoes are seed not foodstuffs.

Well I never!
Coming from a farming family I never knew that

Of course everyone realises that!!
Why won't the EU accept them was the question I asked paddyanne. It is a huge part of the Scottish economy and farming industry EU-wide.

Yes, exactly Growstuff - I was trying to explain your explanation! Lol! I even heard someone on the radio the other day saying they were just small potatoes so should be foods!

Callistemon

I think most farmers realise that a widespread use of Neonicotinoids would, in fact, be bad for their industry in the long-term as insects are needed to pollinate crops.
However, whilst not desirable, a very limited and strictly controlled use is sometimes needed.

Farmers are not stupid, irresponsible oafs.

Well done Callistemon for finding the real story.??

NotSpaghetti

Seed potatoes are seed not foodstuffs.

Exactly! That's why they're not covered.

Seed potatoes are seed not foodstuffs.

what do you expect when our farmers are going to have to grow enough veg and fruit to support our population of 70 million or more?
without help from immigrants?

The Scottish seed potato exports to the EU and NI are worth about £13.5 million (not hundreds of millions).

It's because the UK has to be given third country status to be able to export foodstuffs to the EU. It will automatically gain that status on 1 January 2021, but seed potatoes aren't covered. As far as I can tell, a separate agreement will need to be negotiated.

This is the sort of thing that happens when people talk about getting rid of "red tape".

I did hear that, paddyanne

Why won't the EU accept them any longer? They will be no different to those produced previously.

They are a vital part of the Scottish and North of England economy and I can't understand why.

I dont know about ALL farmers but Scottish farmers who supply vast amounts of seed potatoes to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds have not been protected in the "deal" they have overnight lost all their customers.Well done Bojo..yet another reason for Independence

I think most farmers realise that a widespread use of Neonicotinoids would, in fact, be bad for their industry in the long-term as insects are needed to pollinate crops.
However, whilst not desirable, a very limited and strictly controlled use is sometimes needed.

Farmers are not stupid, irresponsible oafs.

Thanks, Callistomen

Of course countries are trying to find loopholes when they have a local problem which does need drastic action to nip in the bud before it spreads and crops are devastated and people starve.

As someone pointed out the other day re Macron and the lorry drivers - they are exercising their sovereignty.

Callistemon
Thank you for finding the truth.